By Phil Athans
-When I first heard of this book, I was skeptical. As I learned more, I became a little less skeptical. When I first saw it, and skimmed it, the skepticism I had towards this book disappeared. When I was given it for my birthday, and got the chance to read it cover to cover, I liked it a little bit. So, my opinion on this one has run the entire gamut.
-When I first heard of this book, I thought that it was simply a compilation of all of the Drizzt books. “Great”, I thought to myself. “Just what we need, another Drizzt compilation”. After reading some other people mention it, it seemed that I was originally mistaken. It was actually an (somewhat) original book, and not a compilation. When I was first shown the book, by the most lovely and beautiful girl that I love, I was actually impressed. As we flipped through it, I was mildly surprised. For all intents and purposes, it’s a “Drizzt Encyopedia”, of sorts.
-I just got it as a birthday gift, so I had the time to sit down and read through it, article by article. It’s pretty cool. It’s a pretty cool idea, as well. Now, if only this book set some kind of precedent. I know I’ll hope with fingers crossed that a ‘Reader’s Guide to Elaine Cunningham’ is in the works, in theory. Maybe I’ll ask Elaine or Rich. Someone’s got to know.
-There is a surprising amount of original information within the sourcebook, found nowhere else that I know of. There is a lot of original artwork as well (or, at least, not having the artwork that the images originally appeared in, they seem original to me).
-I have two major complaints. The first one is that, even though this was published so recently, the guide does not take into account the events of the Hunter’s Blade trilogy, or the various (mis)adventures of Artemis Entreri, or Jarlaxle. Second is that, under the entry of Selvatarm, there is a picture of a female Drow-spider creature (Chitine, I think. I forget what they’re called). That’s a BAD picture. Seriously, guys.
-Out of five Beholders, I give this sourcebook three Beholders and a Chicken.
Glad to hear you're enjoying this book. I think it's a fun read, myself--lots of great pictures and information...and yes, even some nostalgia.
Most of the art is outstanding.
-I'm not sure how much of it is original, or how much of it is lifted from some other book, like AGHotR. I don't have Drow of the Underdark, so it's very possible that a lot of the Drow images I've never seen before came from that. The Selvatarm picture is ridiculous, though.
My fav picture is Pwent's, he looks completely psycho! Which is your fav?
Some of the art is reused, but I don't think any of it is particularly out of place. Everyone matches their general description from the books, so I'm ok with it.
-Except for Selvatarm. ;)
-Ugh...
Some of the art is reused, but I don't think any of it is particularly out of place. Everyone matches their general description from the books, so I'm ok with it.
I have to agree with LK, I think some of the art is out of place. That said, though, it's not really a big deal.
My fav picture is Pwent's, he looks completely psycho! Which is your fav?
Probably Sos'Umptu.
I have to agree with LK, I think some of the art is out of place. That said, though, it's not really a big deal.
-It is a big deal when you make Selvatarm, who is an interesting deity, to a degree, look like a Yathchol, or whatever those things are called!
-It is a big deal when you make Selvatarm, who is an interesting deity, to a degree, look like a Yathchol, or whatever those things are called!
LOL. You mean a yochlol?
Anyway, yes, he does look, ah, very female...
LOL. You mean a yochlol?
-No, no, no...Yathchol. Chitines.
-No, no, no...Yathchol. Chitines.
Unless I am mistaken, Yathchol is a place where chitines live in. You probably refer to the choldrith?
I wonder when the new sourcebooks get their art galleries ...
Selvatarm's image was like a female choldrith? He gets described in Faiths and Patheons as a spider with a drow head (like one of the forms of lolth), so its not that far of. But they should totaly make a picture of that iron maiden style. More metal! :fight!:
A slight diversion from the topic, but as we spoke of drow females and these "demon-touched" - warlock females appeared in Drow of the Underdark ... Here's a neat one performing a ritual.
Selvatarm's image was like a female choldrith? He gets described in Faiths and Patheons as a spider with a drow head (like one of the forms of lolth), so its not that far of. But they should totaly make a picture of that iron maiden style. More metal! :fight!:
I have that book. it's a different picture than the picture that Zanan used.
Different than that choldrith? Hmm..
Still I would prefer art on some Selvatargtlin doing prayers after battle.
Unless I am mistaken, Yathchol is a place where chitines live in. You probably refer to the choldrith?
-Right, I was thinking outloud, though, you were right, it was Choldrith, not Chitines.
I was also disapointed in the lack of updated info provided in it from the recent novels.But what the hell nothing is ever perfect.